The Ransomes MG tractor or Ransomes Motor Garden Cultivator was built by Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies of Ipswich, England from 1936 till 1965. Several variants and specialist models were built during the 30 year production run. The tractors main feature was the compact size (designed for market gardens & Orchards) and the Roadless Track system used in place of wheels. About 15,000 were built in total.[1]

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The MG 2 was built from 1936 to 1948, and was fitted with a 600 cc air-cooled 6 hp single cylinder Sturmey Archer 'T' engine and a forward reverse single speed gear box and Roadless Track system (rubber jointed) tracks. the engine was a dry sump design. Drive was by a 4:1 reduction box and a centrifugal clutch. Brakes werr of the band type on the drive shafts. The tractor cost £135 in 1936 with the PTO at £1 10s extra. A number were sold to French vineyards, and around 3,000 MG 2's were built between 1936& 48 when the MG 5 replaced it.

The MG 6 was launched at the 1953 Smithfield Show.
The new MG 6 was basically the MG 5 with a 3 speed gear box and a choice of an 8 hp Drayton two-stroke engine in place of the Ransomes unit offered from 1956 on.

The machines are popular as they are compact and can be used for useful work and at ploughing matches & demonstrations. They are easily transported in a van or on a small trailer with a car.

The recording of the examples in preservation is tricky as few have serial number plates that are legible or even surviving. Show catalogue details are often basic so it is hard to record accurately the different examples in preservation (with entries at most shows often failing to display an exhibit number / Info card).

Please add any known examples to the list if a serial number is known or a photo is provided with the event and owner info/catalogue no.

Please add any tractor with known reg or serial no. with Photo if possible.

Make & model

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date built

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misc info

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